Research Connect 2026 — Access to Research Expertise for Companies

Research Connect is a funding scheme that enables companies to purchase research expertise from approved Norwegian research organisations. It provides grants to finance purchasing research competence for exploratory collaborations, innovation and value creation. The scheme funds invoices from research organisations up to a maximum amount per application and is intended for private enterprises registered in Norway.

Grant funding to cover purchase of research competence from approved research organisations (invoiced at the research organisation's market price), up to NOK 100,000; disbursement in arrears based on invoice.

The Project Owner must be a private enterprise registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises, with economic activity in Norway and activities of an industrial or commercial nature. NUFs, public enterprises and sole proprietorships cannot be Project Owners. The project manager must be employed by the Project Owner and researchers collaborating must not be employed by the company.

Apply via the Research Council of Norway application portal (My RCN Web / application link). Applications are processed administratively on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted; required attachments include a project description (max 2 pages) and a de minimis self-declaration.